Suffolk Credit Union Awards College Scholarships to Local Students

Suffolk Credit Union presented college scholarships totaling $43,825 to nine local students attending Suffolk County Community College this fall. The award ceremony was held at the credit union’s Medford branch.

“The ongoing partnership between our credit union and the Suffolk Community College Foundation empowers students to achieve their educational and career goals,” said Michele Dean, CEO & President, Suffolk Credit Union. “Through these scholarships, deserving students and hardworking families are set up for financial stability and future success.”

This year’s awards were:

· Jack Serrentino of Miller Place received a $6,275 scholarship from the LT Michael P. Murphy Memorial Scholarship, which was matched by Suffolk Credit Union for a total of $12,550.

· David Dunavan of Hampton Bays was awarded $6,275 by Suffolk Credit Union in honor of the Michael E. Reilly Foundation Memorial Scholarship

Suffolk Credit Union Achievement Scholarships for Full-Time Students, New Students and Continuing Students as well as partial scholarships ranging from $2,150-$6,275 were awarded to Ilsa Anatra (Ronkonkoma), Zakaria Chami (Hampton Bays), Rebecca Marcus (Hauppauge), Naomy Mukai (East Islip), Ana Lainez-Pixtum (Bayshore), Thomas Vermaelen (Bayport) and Halee Stratton (Sachem).

Award recipients were selected based on their academic achievements, extracurricular activities, community involvement and essays. Since partnering with the college four years ago, Suffolk Credit Union has sponsored 45 scholarships totaling $221,575.

Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College, commented, “These generous scholarships embody Suffolk Credit Union’s long history of lifting up our communities and helping people realize their potential. The inspiring students selected for these awards will be a great asset to our college.”

According to Mary Lou Araneo, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Suffolk Community College Foundation, “We are proud to continue this significant partnership with Suffolk Credit Union, which gives exemplary students scholarships that are deeply appreciated.”

About Suffolk Credit Union

Suffolk Credit Union is a local not-for-profit cooperative financial institution owned and operated by its members. It was chartered in 1967 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The volunteer-directed credit union has assets in excess of $1.8 billion, 10 branches and over 70,000 members, including partnerships with Suffolk County employees and unions. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or regularly conducts business in Nassau and Suffolk counties as well as immediate family members of current membership. To learn more, visit www.suffolkcu.org or call 631-924-8000.

About Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 22,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With over 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. SUNY Suffolk has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school, to college, and into careers.

About the Suffolk Community College Foundation

The mission of the Suffolk Community College Foundation is to support student access to quality higher education and skills training by providing scholarships, emergency student loans, hardship funds, and academic program support for Suffolk County Community College and its students. Additionally, the Foundation seeks to engage alumni to maintain their connection to the college.